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August 8, 2011

Hello everyone! It's Mari here. I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social networking site for interior designers, architects, design professionals and enthusiasts. I love my work because I get to explore the beautiful world of interior design every day. Then, it's my job to write about the great decorating ideas I discover. Sometimes those ideas are found in amazing outdoor living spaces as well.

We love to get outside, whether on a tiny apartment terrace, country porch or in a grand outdoor room with chandeliers and flowing curtains. Today, outdoor "rooms" have become almost as important to us as our interior spaces. So, when I was asked to do this guest post for Ewa in the Garden I knew the topic to choose was outdoor rooms and how to dress them up. Thanks Ewa for letting us be a part of your beautiful corner of the blog world!

What better way to dress up an outdoor dining space than with over-the-top gorgeous blooms. It's obviously the perfect time of the year to dine and enjoy the riot of lovely blooms here in this garden. Isn't it beautiful how the chair cushions pick up the glow of green and yellow here!

Even in the city, it's possible to beautifully and simply decorate an outdoor room. This Manhattan terrace is dressed with oversized containers of greenery to define the wide-open space high above the city.

A brilliant color palette transforms this patio and raised deck into an inviting space for relaxing and entertaining. A perfect mix of ceramics, textiles and lush plantings—all great outdoor living room design ideas.

It doesn't get much better than dining outside under a wisteria-draped ceiling—unless of course, you add a glamorous chandelier and long draped table cloth atop a brick floor to complete the illusion of an outdoor room.

At first glance, this outdoor dining room appears very formal with its flowing white drapes, but take a second look and you'll see that furnishings in tropical hues actually give it a comfortable relaxed carefree air.

A covered outdoor dining space is all dressed up for a special dinner. This is one of those appealing dining room design ideas that can be used in even the most informal of spaces. Setting the table with your best china and crystal atop a crisp cloth is an easy way to make an outdoor style statement.